Saturday, 12 December 2009

Serie B - Week 18: Weekend Review

Friday 11 DecemberPadova 1-0 CesenaA late goal secured Padova's Friday night victory over third-placed Cesena, ending a run of four consecutive defeats. Cani had a goal disallowed early on and Giaccherini went close, but with just eight minutes left on the clock Soncin rose to nod in Di Nardo's cross.

Saturday 12 DecemberAncona 2-0 BresciaAncona close the gap from leaders Lecce to just one point by sending Brescia into the bottom half of the table. Caracciolo had the best chance of the first half when his header came off the upright. It was all done in the space of eight minutes, as Miramontes finalised a counter with his left-foot strike and De Falco scored a cracking solo effort. He dispossessed Baiocco in midfield and surged into the box for an angled drive beating the goalkeeper on the one-on-one.

Lecce 0-0 AscoliLecce's lead at the top of the table is cut to just one point, but considering they played the entire second half with 10 men, it can be considered a positive result. Amoroso and Luci tested the home goalkeeper repeatedly in the first period before Vives foolishly simulated when he was already on a yellow card. The tempers rose and both Lecce Coach Gigi De Canio and a member of the medical staff were also sent off for dissent. Rosati was the hero of the hour for the Salentini, keeping out Giorgi and Lupoli.

Torino 0-1 SassuoloThe arrival of Coach Mario Beretta does not seem to have solved Torino's problems, as they fell to their fourth home defeat of the season. Sassuolo had already proved they were effective on their travels by conquering Reggina midweek and snatched victory when Noselli smashed a Fusani assist under the bar from 10 yards. The striker also tested Sereni with a strike late on and angry Granata fans invaded the VIP area to protest against President Urbano Cairo.

Empoli 1-0 VicenzaEmpoli left it late to squeeze past Vicenza and maintain their extraordinary home record, where they have dropped points in only one game this season. Di Cesare and Coralli headers had threatened, but substitute Fabbrini was brought down by Signori for Eder to coolly convert.

Frosinone 2-1 CittadellaFrosinone snatched a last-gasp winner to close within a point of Cesena and go into sixth place. In the space of 60 seconds Basso converted a penalty and Iunco drew Cittadella level again with a right-foot snooker shot. The match seemed to be sealed when Santoruvo smashed his strike under the bar to send the Matusa crowd wild.

Crotone 4-2 GallipoliThe crowd was certainly kept entertained by this six-goal thriller, although Crotone took full control after the break. Just 40 seconds into the match Scaglia's hand blocked the ball and Gabionetta converted the resulting penalty after a series of protests. Ginestra equalised with the first real Gallipoli chance of the game, nodding in Mancini's cross, but Beati and Legati both struck by getting their heads to Morleo free kicks. Morleo got on the scoresheet himself from the spot for Abbate's foul on Abruzzese, but Gallipoli got back into it when Galeoto was sent off for a clash with Ginestra that led to Di Gennaro's penalty.

Piacenza 0-1 GrossetoPiacenza fell at the end to terminate a four-match unbeaten run. Tulli and Joelson would've broken the deadlock earlier, but both were denied by the woodwork. Pinilla was not 100 per cent fit, but came off the bench to do it all by himself, surging forward to earn a corner and then nod it into the net.

Modena 1-1 MantovaThe Canarini are now unbeaten in four, though Mantova fully deserved to fight back for a point. Pinardi sparked a counter that Catellani finalised just before half-time, but in the second period the visitors poured forward and eventually earned their equaliser with a Malatesta volley.

Salernitana 1-1 AlbinoleffeThe points are shared in this relegation dogfight, a result that certainly boosts Leffe more than the bottom of the table club. Slack marking allowed Perico a free header to put the visitors in front from a corner, but Fava knocked down Jadid's penalty for a Stendardo equaliser. Salernitana pushed forward, especially after Passoni's dismissal, but Caputo and Kyriazis wasted their chances.

Monday 14 DecemberReggina 3-1 TriestinaAn entertaining game at the Granillo and for the local fans there was plenty to celebrate after Reggina came back from behind to put on a fantastic display. Triestina had a good start and found the opener through Testini, who headed in a cross from Tabbiani. Missiroli equalised just before the break with a precise touch following an inspiring pass from Pagano. Missiroli was in great form as he scored a second with a powerful right-foot shot. There was glory for Pagano too. The Amaranto top-scorer received a Bonazzoli cross from the left flank and netted the third.

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